Label

Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABN

Paul Beljan
My focus is diagnostics and intervention with giftedness, 2e, ADHD, and LD from a neuropsychological perspective.
arizona, scottsdale, united-states
advocacy, author, mental-health-counselor, professor, psychologist
advocacy, clinical-evaluation-and-assessment, literacy, numeracy, training
adhd-add, autism-spectrum-disorder, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, executive-functioning

Summary

Dr. Paul Beljan is a pediatric neuropsychologist practicing in Scottsdale, AZ. He is a past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (ABPdN). He holds child diplomate with ABPdN and adult diplomate with the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABN). In 2016, Dr. Beljan completed a post-doctoral master’s degree in psychopharmacology from New Mexico State University.

Dr. Beljan co-authored Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, BiPolar, OCD, Depression, and Other Disorders. He also co-authored Large Scale Brain Systems and Neuropsychological Assessment: An Effort to Move Forward. Dr. Beljan is a nationally retained forensic expert and lectures nationally and internationally.

Achievements

I am one of the earliest members of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology and have held every board office. I served on the Arizona Board of Psychological Examiners for five years. I co-wrote Mis Diagnosis and Dual Diagnosis in Gifted Children and adults. I have published several chapters and articles about giftedness, neuropsychology and learning disorders. I have run SENG groups. I lecture nationally and internationally about giftedness and neuropsychological topics. I have had a private practice for 20 years.

Qualifications

Education

  • Post Doctoral Master’s Degree in Psychopharmacology | New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico [2015]
  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology | Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio [1994]

Certifications

  • Arizona State Psychology License | State of AZ [since 2001]
  • Diplomate | American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology by Institute [since 2002]
  • Diplomate | American Board of Neuropsychology – Adult Qualification [since 2008)
  • Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology | Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) [since 2005]

Professional Memberships/ Associations

  • ABPdN | Board Member [2002/Present]
  • ABN | Member at Large [2008/Present]
  • International Neuropsychological Society | Member [2003/Present]
  • National Academy of Neuropsychology | Member [2001/Present]
  • Arizona Psychological Association | Member [2001/Present]
  • Defenders of Children | Board of Directors [about 2019/2021]

Awards & Honors

  • Dr. James T. Webb “Friend of the Gifted” Award | Arizona Association of Gifted and Talented [2023]
  • Arizona Board of Psychological Examiners | Appreciation Award [2022]
  • Recognition of Dedication to Children and Families | Defenders of Children [2018]
  • Outstanding Service as a Member to the Board | Arizona Board of Psychological Examiners [2017]
  • Distinguished Contribution to the Practice of Psychology | Arizona Psychological Association [2016]
  • ABPdN Presidential Award | ABPdN by Institute [2014]
  • Distinguished Leadership as President | ABPdN [2006]
  • Legacy Book Award| Hurston Wright Foundation [2005]
  • Book of the Year | Forward Magazine [2005]

Professional Experience

Beljan Psychological Services, Scottsdale, Arizona  [2001/Present]

  • Owner/Operator
  • Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Forensic Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Training Director

Childrens Research Triangle, Chicago, IL [2000 - 2001]

  • Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment

La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Research Center [1997 - 2000]

  • Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment
  • Pediatric Medical Psychology

Credits

Books

  • Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis in Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, Depression, and Other Disorders – Second Edition | Great Potential Press, 2016
  • Large-Scale Brain Systems and Neuropsychological Testing: An Effort to Move Forward | Springer [2016]
  • Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis in Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, Depression, and Other Disorders | Great Potential Press, 2005

Book Chapters

  • Beljan, P. (2010) Misdiagnosis of Culturally Diverse Students, A Kaleidoscope of Special Populations in Gifted Education: Understanding Our Most Able Students from Diverse Backgrounds, Prufrock Press.

Journal Articles

  • Beljan, P., Processing Speed in Gifted Children: A Clinical Neuropsychological Perspective. Roeper Review (August 2023 publication)
  • Beljan, P. (2023) A Cautionary Tale of Three Testing Issues, Dystinct Magazine (2023)
  • Beljan, P., et. al. (2022). Understanding Mathematical Learning Disorder in Regard to Executive and Cerebellar Functioning: A Failure of Procedural Consolidation. The Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology.
  • Bree, K., Beljan, P. (2016) Neuro-Cognitive Intervention for Working Memory: Preliminary Results and Future Directions. Applied Neuropsychology: Child.
  • Beljan, P. & Carahaly, L. (2014) The Boss is Out! Impact of Executive Functions: Deficits in Children with ADHD and Related Learning Disabilities. Arizona Parenting Magazine.
  • Beljan, P., et. al. (2014) Private Pediatric Neuropsychology Practice Multimodal Treatment of ADHD: An Applied Approach. Applied Neuropsychology Child.
  • Beljan, P., et. al. (2012). Medication Efficacy: The Impact of Variability in Defining and Measuring ADHD and Executive Functioning. Applied Neuropsychology: Child.
  • Amend, E.R. & Beljan, P.  (2010). The Antecedents of Misdiagnosis: How the Normal Behaviors of Gifted Children are Seen as Pathology.  Invited paper in M. Shaughnessy & G. Erickson-Sluti (Eds.), special issue, Gifted Education International.

Other Publications & Materials

  • The Boss is Out! Impact of Executive Functions: Deficits in Children with ADHD and Related Learning Disabilities. Arizona Parenting Magazine. (2014)
  • Differential Diagnosis of Common Disorders Made Among Gifted Children. 2e: Twice Exceptional Newsletter. 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter. (2013)
  • Notification to Increase the Scope of Practice for Psychologists. Tempe, AZ:
    Arizona Psychological Association. (2012)
  • Expert's Forum: A Primer on Pediatric Neuropsychology. Duke Newsletter. (2008)

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